Rowing machine



W. A. SPAIN RowING MACHINE Jun`4, 1929.

Filed May 15, 1928 l 2 sheets-sheet.

////l/ /////l/ Wl ////I/ June 4, 1929. w. A. .SPAIN RowING MACHINE Filed May 15, 192.8

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 4, 1929.

' UNITED STA-TES WILLIAM AUGUST'INnsPAIN, o-nLoNnoN, ENGLAND.

ROWING MACHINE.

Application filed May 15, 1928, vSerial No. 277,809, and in Great Britain December 7, 1927.

yThis invention relates to rowing machines for practising rowing or for physical training purposes and has for an object to provide a simple and inexpensive construction which can be quickly assembled or taken apart and which when disassembled occupies a minimum of space.

The improved rowing machine .in accordance with the invention comprises a pair ot standards or uprights between which is adapted to be supported av guide bar or rod on Which are slidably mounted a pair ot 'foot rests movable by the feet against the action of elastic tension means connected thereto and to one of the uprights so as to oi'ler a re` sistance to movement in one direction, and a handle bar taking the place of oars and connected by elastic tension means with the saine upright so as to oder the necessary resistance to movement of the handle bar. A box or case in which the disassembled rowing machine may be carried from place to place may serve as the seat for the person using the machine.

In one embodiment of the invention the uprights, which are preferably of substantially inverted U shape, support a guide bar of tubular form or of rectangular section and the foot-rests consist of a pair of pedals like bicycle pedals connected by a crosshead or bracket embracing such guide bar. The necessary resistance to movement oit these pedals by the feet is presented by extensible members constituted of rubber or the like and formed at the ends with eyelets to engage hooks attached to the crosshead and to engage the legs of the uprights. The handle bar is connected by a bracket With a hook to Which extensible members are connected such cxtensible members being connected at their other ends by a hook to a Wire rope or the like guided over a pulley mounted on the guide bar, such wire rope terminating in a hook adapted to engage extensible members which are anchored to the uprights suitably adjacent to the extensible members to which the foot rests are attached. rlhere are thus provided for the handle bar two sets oi' extensible members allowing the necessary movement of the handle.

The box provided for transporting the parts in disassembled ycondition is preferably provided with compartments for the varioiils parts, the stretching members being attached to hooks in the box and serving to retain the other parts in position therein.

In the accompanying drawi11gs,l`ig. 1 is a perspective view of a rowing machine according to the invention; the machine being shown assembled and resting on--top of its containing box or case. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the machine and box in position ready for use. Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing the machine disassembled and accommodated Wi thin its containing case. F ig. 4L is a plan view showing a modiiied construction. i

The rowing machine shown comprises a pair of inverted substantially U shaped stand i ards 1, 2 each of which is connectible to one end oi' and adapted to support a rectangular guide bar 3 on Which is slidably mounted a cross head t sustaining a pair of foot rests constituted by a pair oipedals 5 extending transversely of the guide bar 3.

rIhe legs ot' the U shaped standard 1 are splayed and are equipped at their terminal ends 'With bearer blocks 6 adapted to rest on the floor or the like, the legs of the standard 2 are engageable in socket members 7 secured to one end of the box case 8 when the machine is ready for use as shown in Fig. 2. The case 8 terms a seat for the operator and is equipped on its upper face With a mat i), the operator sitting on the mat with his legs astride the bar 3 and his feet engaging the pedals 5.

The crosshead 4 and pedals 5 carried there-i by are movable in one direction by the operators feet along the guide bar 3 against the action of elastic rubber members 10 formed at both ends With eyelets 10 connected at one end to hooks 11 formed on the crosshead 4f and anchored at the other end on the U standard 2.

A handle bar 12 taking the place of oars carries a bracket 12 provided With a hook 122 connectible to elastic rubber members havmg connecting eyelets 13', the other ends of which members are engaged by a hook 14 on one end ot a Wire rope 14 or the like guided over a pulley 15 journalled on the guide bar 3 at the outer end thereof, the wire rope v1st passing backwardly beneath the guide bar 3 and terminating at its rear end in a hook 142 engaging eyelets 16 on the adjacent ends ot elastic rubber members 1i', the eyelets 16 at the other ends of Which are anchored on the U standard 2.

A safety chain 18 adapted to be anchored to the standard 1 and connected to the hook 14C on the wire rope 14 prevents injury to the operator in the event of breakage of the rope.

As shown in Fig. 3 the elastic members are engageable with hooks secured to the inner Walls of the box 8 whereby to hold the disassembled members of the machine in position Within the box, the lid oit Which is divided into compartments.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. l the guide bar 3 is replaced by spaced tubular guides 19 which penetrate the pedalsupporting crosshead 4, said crosshead being slidable thereon as before.

I claim l. A rowing machine comprising, in combination a pair ot uprights, a guide bar snstained by said uprights, foot-rests movable along said guide-bar, elastic tension means connected at one end to said toot-rests and anchored at the opposite end, a handle bar, and a. tension member including elastic com ponents connected at one end to said handle bar and anchored at its opposite end externally of the foot-rests, said tension member extending partly along said guide bar.

2. A rowing machine comprising, in combination, a pair of uprights a guide bar snstained by said uprights, foot-rests movable along said guide-bar, elastic tension means connected at one end to said Yfoot-rests and anchored at the opposite end to one ol said nprights, a handle bar, and a tension member including elastic components connected at one end to said handle bar and anchored at its opposite end to said last mentioned upright, said tension member extending partly along said guide bar.

3. A rowing machine comprising, in combination a pair of uprights, a guide bar snstained by said uprights, a pulley on the guidebar, foot-rests movable along said guide-bar, elastic tension means connected at one end to said toot-rests and anchored at the opposite end, a handle bar, and a tension member in cluding elastic components connected at one end to said handle bar, and anchored at its opposite end externally of the foot-rests, said member passing around said pulley and eX- tending partly along said guide bai 4. A rowing machine coniprising, in combination, a seat-presenting box havin g sockets at one end, a pair oi" uprights, one engaging said sockets, a guide-bar sustained by said nprights, toot-rests movable along said guidebar, elastic tension means connected at one end to said foot-rests and anchored at the opposite end to the last mentioned upright, a handle bar, and a tension member including elastic components connected, at one end to said handle bar and anchored at its opposite end to said lastmentioned upright, said tension member extending partly along said guide-bar.

in testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this speciiication.

WILLIAM AUeUsTiNn spain; 

